September in the garden is a great time to pause, re-think and get busy. September is nature's time for replanting, sowing, feeding - in preparation for Spring.
Many of our garden trees and flowers are producing seeds and berries to start a new generation of plants. It's the ideal time to sow new plants from seeds, bulbs and cuttings.
It is also a wonderful month to plant fruiting plants and winter vegetables. September is one of the best gardening months of the year.
Don’t be discouraged that the summer is over ... with a little love your garden can still remain full of colour and life throughout the Autumn season. Keep reading to discover Paraic's tips for your garden in September.

Lawn Care

Lawn care should be on the top of our gardening to-do list. This ensures a green lawn with little moss in the Spring.

Start by removing any moss that has crept in during the Summer. We recommend using Zero Lawn Moss. Zero Lawn Moss will start to work overnight attacking moss right down to the root.

24 hours later, give the lawn a good feed. Zero Lawn Feed will not only feed your lawn for the next 3 months, but it will also suppress moss creeping back. Ensuring a green lawn all Winter long, with little work required come February.

September to October are the best months to sow a new lawn or reseed bare patches in your existing lawn.
The ground is still warm enough to allow the seed to germinate and knit lawn patches together. Use Green Velvet lawn seed to create the perfect lawn. This seed produces a hard-wearing, rich green lawn that is easy to maintain and tough enough for children and pets to play on.

Sow and Grow

September is an ideal time to sow a wide selection of edibles (herb and vegetable) and flowering plants from seeds.
Simply sow the seeds in a pot of compost, cover with cling film and watch them grow. Once they begin to shoot, replant them in a larger container.

Plant Japanese onion sets over the next couple of weeks. If planted now, you will be rewarded with a picking of young, fresh green shoots in early spring and full sized onions in April and May.

Plant autumn and winter vegetable plants now. Plants such as winter cabbage, Chinese cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli, lettuce and iceberg lettuce can all be planted during September.

September remains one of the best months to plant berrying broad-leaved trees. One of my favourites are the beautiful Malus trees. Plant a Malus tree this month to be rewarded with a brightly coloured tree this Autumn.
It will also produce edible berries from September to early winter. This growth is followed by bright colourful flowers in spring. Malus trees form lovely medium sized trees in any garden and are brilliant for wildlife.

Garden Care

Control green algae and moss on pathways and driveways: Cool damp weather favours the spread of green algae and moss on all hard surface areas.
Left untreated, this will continue to grow and spread. Simply apply a dressing of PAC to affected areas. PAC will control all moss and algae growth within 7 days of application.

Apply through a watering can or pressure sprayer on a dry calm day to the hard surface area and watch the moss and algae disappear in no time.

Garden Colour

Fancy a wildflower patch or strip in your garden? Now is the ideal time to sow wildflower seeds and bulbs in your garden.
Honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies will visit the flower meadow in late spring and summer.

Plant winter flowering cyclamen, pansies, violas, heather and aconites for colour in your patio pots and window boxes.

Evergreen climbers, with both foliage and flowers, are ideal to plant in September.
Try varieties such as the virginia creeper, hydrangeas, honeysuckles or choose from a wide range of ivies. Remember to add a good compost when planting and feed with Boost All Purpose liquid feed.

Did you know you can get plants for free? Yes, September is a time for propagation! Choose some of your favourite garden shrubs and cut pencil length slips off the plant.

Dip the base of the slip into rooting powder, place the slip into a compost mixed with perlite and place in a medium sized pot.

Cover the cuttings with a polythene bag and leave to root on a bright window sill.

Once the slips have rooted, plant them in individual pots to grow over the winter.

Wild Garden Birds

Take care of wildlife in your garden now.
Garden song birds need to build up their energy and fat reserves this autumn. Simply hang high-energy wild bird feeders in your garden using fat balls, sunflower seeds, and wild bird mixes.
Watch as wild birds flock to your garden all winter long. September is also the time to remove old nests from your nesting boxes and give the boxes a good clean.

Need a hand getting the most out of your outdoor environment? Our experts are always on hand to help at your local store.
Just contact your local store where one of our helpful and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.